Cancer in dogs: symptoms and treatment
Such a disease, like cancer, can not only bein people. It is also diagnosed in animals. For example, cancer in dogs is found quite often. There are statistics from which, in females, this disease occurs more often than in males. As a rule, this disease occurs in animals older than 10 years.
Description of the disease
Cancer in dogs is not much different from cancer of people. The essence of this disease is that the cells begin to mutate. There is a theory according to which, the disease arises from a change in one cell in the body. Then it begins to divide, and the infected area spreads. If the disease is not diagnosed on time, then large groups of mutated cells are formed. Then tumors and metastases are formed.
If an animal has a disease such as breast cancer, the metastases can spread to bone tissue and lungs.
Gradually infected cells become allmore, the tumors stop the normal functioning of the organs of the animal's body. They also interfere with the proper functioning of neighboring organs. The next stage in the development of the disease is the decomposition of tumors. This process is characterized by bleeding. From all of the above, the general condition of the dog worsens.
Dogs can have cancer of any organs. Old animals are mainly affected by the disease. But there are cases of cancer in young dogs. It should be said that cancer is a general characteristic of the disease. The mutation of cells can affect different organs and have its own version in each individual case. Therefore, the person can not cure cancer by himself. Treatment at home can relieve certain manifestations of the disease. In order to provide substantial assistance to the animal, it is necessary to contact the veterinarian.
Early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery
It should be said that the earlier the cancer is detecteda dog (whose photo does not cause any positive emotions), the more chances of her recovery. Also, the owners of animals need to know that there are veterinarians of narrow specialization who are engaged in oncological diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to treat the cancer of an animal from a veterinarian-oncologist.
Make a prediction of how long the dog canto live with an oncological disease is impossible. Since there are many factors that influence this circumstance. First, the age of the dog plays a role. Secondly, an important factor is at what stage the disease is diagnosed.
If the infected cells spread slowlyand cancer is detected at the initial stage of the disease, then timely assistance to the animal will ensure her further long life. Also important is what organ is affected by malignant cells. In some cases, you can perform an operation to remove the tumor. Possible options for treatment and a prognosis for recovery can be determined by a veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis of the dog.
How does the disease manifest itself?
The main problem in diagnosing cancerdiseases is that they initially pass without any signs. It is possible to detect cancer only by passing tests. Therefore it is necessary to regularly visit with the dog the vet for this. The main tests that will help detect cancer cells are blood and urine tests for biochemistry.
Animal owners should remember that treatment of the disease is possible only at an early stage of detection. In the event that the spread of cancer cells is running, no veterinarian will help.
More prone to bitch disease
Often there is cancer in bitches. This is due to the unstable hormonal background during estrus, childbirth and the postpartum period. In order to avoid having a bitch of cancer, veterinarians recommend sterilizing the dog. Especially in those cases, if not planned distribution of progeny.
If the dog gives birth, then after 8 years, when the breeding work ends, the animal must also be sterilized. This procedure will protect the dog from this disease.
Dog Cancer: Symptoms and Types
Now consider the popular types:
one. Cancer of the mammary glands in females. Breast cancer in dogs can be detected at an early stage. To identify it, the owner of the dog must follow the nipples. Signs of cancer may appear as nipples or indurations on the nipples. They can be detected by feeling the mammary glands. It is also recommended to show the dog to the vet. If the disease progresses and treatment measures have not been taken, the tumors will be visually noticeable, and the nipples will change color. If the tumor is damaged, bleeding will occur.
2. Cancer of the uterus of a dog. Diagnosing this type of cancer is harder. A sign of infection is bloody discharge. But they may also be due to other diseases. In cancer of the uterus, miscarriages occur in the bitch or dead puppies are born. The cause of this disease can be drugs, which include hormones. Moreover, cancer cells may appear after a single admission of such funds.
3 Another group of risk of cancer is large breed dogs. Visually determine that the animal has cancer is almost impossible. In large dogs, the disease sometimes affects the bone tissue. A sign that the animal has cancer, there may be changes in walking and running. If these symptoms appear, the dog should be shown to a specialist.
five. An oncological skin disorder can also be diagnosed. It is difficult to notice the skin cancer in dogs. Especially in animals that have abundant wool. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly inspect the dog's skin. It is better to do this while bathing or combing. Cancer of the skin is manifested by the formation of dark spots or seals on it. The color of the spots may vary from red to dark brown.
6. Liver cancer in dogs. With the defeat of the liver by cancer cells in the animal, the mucous membranes turn yellow. This is due to the fact that bile enters the bloodstream. The consistency of the products of exchange is also changing. When cancer cells spread in the liver, the dog refuses to eat and constantly vomits.
7. Lung cancer in dogs. The disease begins with coughing. With further progression, it increases, expectorations begin, in which there is blood discharge and pus in the saliva.
eight. Also in dogs, the spleen is affected by cancerous cells. But this type of disease occurs infrequently. There are no obvious signs indicating the occurrence of this disease. Usually, the animal shows deterioration in general condition, lethargy, apathy, and so on.
9. Oncological kidney disease. It is difficult to notice kidney cancer; there are practically no external manifestations, especially at the early stage of the disease. At a later stage of disease progression, blood appears in the urine. Also the dog starts colic, and it whines. The gait of the dog undergoes changes due to pain.
Diagnosis
What are the ways to identifycancer in dogs? There is a theory that dogs sense the presence of infected cells in the human body. Allegedly, they can determine by smell whether a person has cancer or not. Perhaps they really manage to feel cancer in the human body.
But as for ourselves, it is more difficult to do. There is a possibility that dogs feel that their bodies are infected with malignant cells. But, unfortunately, they cannot report this fact to their owner.
Diagnostic methods
The main method of detecting the disease in the earlyThe stage of dog cancer is a visit to the vet and testing. The doctor prescribes an animal to donate blood and urine. According to the test results, namely the presence of any changes in the blood or urine, the veterinarian prescribes repeated laboratory tests for more in-depth study.
Then, depending on which bodysuspected of being affected by malignant cells, further examination is carried out. Namely, computer diagnostics of a specific organ is appointed. You can carry it through ultrasound, MRI and other methods. When a tumor is detected, the veterinarian takes a tissue puncture in order to identify whether it is malignant or not.
Treatment
It should be said that cancer treatment in dogsmust be entrusted to a specialist. You should not self-medicate or listen to any people who do not have special education and proper qualifications in this field.
It is not recommended to self-medicate.because the disease is individual, for example, squamous cell carcinoma exists in dogs. Many have not heard of this. Only a veterinarian can identify the characteristics of the disease, based on the results of tests and other studies.
For the treatment of malignant cells in dogsapply chemotherapy. The next step is to remove the tumor. It is not possible to do this in all cases of the disease. For example, if the brain is affected, then you can not do surgery. If an operation to remove the tumor took place, then repeat chemotherapy is prescribed.
Next, the animal is prescribed special drugs to maintain immunity and stabilize the body.
Cancer Nutrition
It is necessary to provide the dog with proper nutrition. The diet should not include spicy and fatty foods. Such a diet should be maintained for a long time. It should be said that fatty food is not recommended for use and healthy pet.
It must be remembered that during the rehabilitation periodit is necessary to create favorable conditions for the dog. Namely, to ensure regular walking and cleanliness. It is necessary to ensure that the dog does not come into contact with stray animals, since the body after the course of treatment is weakened and it will be better to exclude any sources of infection.
Sleeping
There are cases that cancer in dogs progresses.very quickly and the treatment provided does not give positive results. In this case, the owner of the animal should think about putting him to sleep, as this option will save him from suffering.
If a person sees that the treatment is notrelieves the suffering of the animal, it is recommended that he talk with the vet about whether to continue it, whether there is a chance that the dog will recover. If the attending veterinarian says that the dog’s chances are zero, then the best way out of this situation is to put the pet to sleep.
Thus, the owner of the animal will relieve him of painful pain. If death is unavoidable due to cancer and the dog suffers, then it is necessary to resort to euthanasia.
Refer to another specialist.
There is an option that a vet cannot helpanimal, and the owner of the dog is confident in its recovery. Then it is recommended to contact another specialist. Perhaps he will select a different treatment regimen, and the dog will recover.
Conclusion
Now you know how cancer develops in dogs. We described the symptoms and treatment methods. Unfortunately, this disease is very serious. Therefore, if you suspect that the animal has cancer, then immediately contact a qualified specialist.
